Method of treating sulfid ores.



WILBUR. ALSON'HENDRYX, OEDENVER, COLORADO.

METHOD OF TREATING SULFID ORES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14, 1908.

Application filed November 29, 1906. Serial No. 344,321.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILBUR Anson IIEN- DRYX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hotel Metro ole, in the city of Denver, in the county of enver and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods of Treating Sulfid Ores, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a method of treating ores, and more particularly ores containing suliid of copper, the object of the invention being to provide a method whereby metals such as copper may be extracted directly from. their su d ores and recovered as a rcguline deposit.

In treating pyritic ores containing sulfid of cop )er together with some suliid of iron 1 pre or to proceed as follows: The suitably ground ore is mixed in a vessel rovided with a mechanical agitator with (ilute sulfuric acid, the sulfuric acid being added in approximately the theoretical proportion required to dissolve the copper of the ore, or in some excess of such pro ortion. The solution is preferably heated to about l20l6() degrees Fahrenheit. Insoluble anodes, preferably of load, and cathodes which may also be of lead or of copper are suitably disposed in the solution, and a suitable electric current transmitted throughout the operation For this purpose I prefer to employ apparatus substantially as described in my prior patent No. 785,214, grz'inted M arch 21, 1905, the parts of the same being constructed of suitable materials to withstand tho solutions e1n lo ed.

' nrlcr theconditimis described the cooper surlid is not directly dissolved by the suli'uric 1d, butt l'iid of iron is dissolved, yielding iierrous sulfate which in the region oi the in solubie anodes is convert d into ferric sulfate: This salt :litzlClifi'llll opper sulfid, converting into copper sulfate, and is itself rcnluoed to ferrous sulialc, but is innnediatcly reoxidized to ferric sulfate 1*. the iklhHllS and I" 1 presence of the ore. in this manner a complete and rapid solution of the ('opps-r sulfid is oil'cctcd. Meantime a coherent (lo-- posit oi copper is formed upon the cathodes, although under the most economical working conditions the whole oi the coppvl is not doposited. So long as snliicicnt copper is rcsent in solution and is being deposited therefrom, there is little or no tendency to the reduction of the iron salts at the cathodes,-and the solution of the sulfid and the rcgonoral through one or more electrolytic cells rovided with anodes of lead. and cathodes 0 copper, lead or the like. In these cells further portions of copper are deposited and any iron.

which may be present in the ferrous state is oxidized. Prelerably the solution should not be so far depleted of copper in those cells as to render it diflicultto secure a rcgulinc deposit of the metal or to subject the ferric salts to reduction by hydrogen liberated at the cathodes.

The solution flowing from the electrolytic cells and containing in addition to some copper the fully regenerated solvent is ens ployed for the treatment of fresh batches of ore.

While I have described the employment of sulfuric acid my invention. is not restricted thereto, as it will be obvious that the solvent initially added may be another acid, as hydrochlorie acid, or other solvent for copper sulfid or a body capable oi giving rise to such solvent, as for instance icrric or ferrous salts. in case hydrochloric acid or a chlorid is employed the anode will PL'QlClL-djy' be oi graphite.

'ihe precipitating cells for the copper i be oi any usual type, and are prci'craiz-ly Vidcd with a large electrode surface, i ihci coy the metal is rapidly deposited and any is:- rous salts are quickly osidizod. To this end they preicrahly comprisc vats or troughs containing a large number of clectrodoss, disposed that the solution in continuou li ai' encounters anodes and cathodes rcpratrilzy and in alternation.

l claim: 4

J The method o l' treating ores co'i iainir copper which consists is; .cting upon the saino with a solution containing a ferric s' andsiniuitanimuslysopararingrippor by troiy with insolul anode therein. 1" crating the in suit in p 2. The method oi' treating 0;. .7 copper which consists in reacting upon. the same with 2.. soiu ion coi'itaining ferric sulfate and Sllllllliiitilrl illsi i' separating cop. electrolysis with insoluble anodes, ti. rcgznierating the ferric sulfate, in presence the ore. I

The incthod of treating ores contain copper w'l'iich consists in reacting upon the ore, separating the eeaceo same with a solution containing a ferric salt and simultaneously separating copper by electrolysis with insoluble anodes, thereb regenerating the ferric salt in presence of the solution and electrodepositing copper. therefrom by passing the so ution successively in contact with suitable cathodes and insoluble anodes.

The method of treating ores containing copper which consists in reacting upon the same with a solution containing a ferric salt and simultaneously separating copper by electrolysis with insoluble anodes, thereby regenerating the ferric salt in presence of the ore, separating the resulting solution, electrosubjecting additional depositing copper therefrom by passing it alternately and repeatedly in contact with insoluble anodes and suitable cathodes, and uantities of ore to the solvent action of the so ution.

6. The method of treating ores containing copper and iron which consists in reacting upon the same with an acid and simultaneously separating copper by electrolysis with insoluble anodes, thereby regenerating the solvent liquor inpresence of the ore.

- 7. The method of treating ores containing copper and iron which consists inreacting upon the same With sulfuric acid and sim taneouslyse iarating copper by electro ysis with insoluble anodes, thereby regen'era the solvent liquor in presence of the ore In testimony whereof I .LffiX my signature in presenceof two Witnesses.

WILBUR ALSQN HENDRYLL Witnesses:

THEODORA WELLs, CHAS. R. DAVIES. 

